The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-02-17

Huntinv I'll tell yer the huntin' you.uns
hev been at! You've been huntin' George
Lee and his boys since an hour before sun up.
You've been followin' blind trail up to the
Ridge, until the snow got up and hunted you
right here! You've been whoopin' and yellin'
and circus ridin' on the roads like ez yer wos
Comanches, and frightening all the women
folk within miles-that's yer huntin'l You've
been climbin' down paws old slide at last, and
maxim tracks for here to save the skins Of
them condemned government horses of the
kempany! And that's your huntin'r's "-.
To Hale's surprise q burst of laughter from
the party followed this speech. He tried to
join in, but this ridiculous summary of the
result of his enthusiastic sense of duty left
him--the only earnest believer-mortified and
embarrassed. Nor was he the less concerned
as he found the girls dark eyes had rested
once or twice upon him curiously. ..-..
Eenobia laughed too, and, lazily, turning
the chair around, dropped into 1t. "And by
this time George Lees loungin' back in his
chyar and smokin' his cigar somewbar in Sac.
ramento." she added, stretching her feet out
to the fire, and suiting the action to the word
with an imaginary cigar between the long
fingers of q thin and not over clean hand.
1--WE cave, Zeenie" said Rawlins, when
their hilarity had subsidized to more subdued
and scarcely less flattering admiration Of the
Hnconcerned goddess before them. THAT'S
about the size of it. Ye kin rake down the
pile. forgot you're an old friend Of
Georges" ,..--.
Lies white mani" said the girl decid-
edly. .. -.'.. I'd
aye used to know hing continued Raw.
Inns.
"Once. Paw amt in that line now" she
said simply. a. b.. .....r .-r-.a...a~ 49,. 3
There was such sublime unconscioVsness
OF any moral degradation involved In this
alIusion that even Hale accepted it without
a shock. She rose presently, and, going to
the little sideboard, brought out a number Of
glasses; these she handed to each of the party,
and then, producing delnijohn Of whisky,
sIung it dexterously and gracefully over her
arm, so that it rested on her elbow Ike Q
cradle, and, going to each one in succession,
filled their glasses. 1t obliged each ono to
rise to accept the libation, and as Halo did 50
in his turn he met the dark eyes Of the girl
full on his own. There was q pleased Curl
osity in her glance that made this married
man of 81 eolor as awkwardly as boy.
Tho tender of refres hments being under
stood as tacit recognition of their claims to
larger hospitality, all further restraint was
removed. Zenobia resumed her seat, and
placing lcr elbow on the arm of her chair,
and her small round chin in her hand, looked
thoughtfully in the fire. aWhen say George
Lees q white man, it amt because know
him. It's his general gait. Wot's he ever
done that's undetermined or mean? Nothin'!
You can't show the poor man he's ever took q
.picayune from. When he's helped himself
70 q pile it's been outer them banks or them
express. companies, that think it mighty fine
to bust up themselves and swindle the poor
folks o their last cent, and nobody talks o.
huntin' theml And does he keep their money!
No; no passes it round among the boys that
help him, and they put it in circulation. He
don't keep it for himself; he amt got fine
houses in Frisco; he don't keep. fast horses
for show Like ez not the critter he did that
job with-ef it was him-none Of you boys
would have rid! And he takes all the risks
himself; you ken bet your life that every
man with him was safe and away afore be
turned his back on you uns."
"He certainly drops o little of his money at
draw poker, Zeenie," said Clinch, laughing.
ale lost $500 to Sheriff Kelly last week"
swell, ! don't hear of the sheriff buntin'
him to give it back, nor do I reckon Kelly
handed 1t over to the express it was taken
from. heard you won suthin' from him q
spell ago. reckon you've been huntin, him
| to find out whar you should return IT. The
laugh was clearly against .Clinch. He was
| about to make some railying rejoinder when
che young girl suddenly interrupted him.
"Ef yo're wantin' to hunt somebody, why
don't You take higher gamei Thar's that jim,
Harkins; go for him, and I'll join you"
@Harkins!" exclaimed Clinch and Hale,
simultaneously.
3Yes, Jim Harkins; do you know hirnT
she said, glancing from the ono to the other:
Zone of my friendsdo n said Clinch, laugh.
| ing; @but don't let that stop you
4And you-over there" continued Zenobia,
bending her head and eyes toward Hale.
@The fact ISL believe he was my banker
said Hale, with smile. u don't know him
personally"
aThen you'd better hunt him before be does
you
@What's be done, Zeeniein asked Rawlins,
IN. -